A legendary noir, because it is anomalous, scathing, focused not on the seduction of a dark lady (who is absolutely marginal), but on the seduction of money. A million dollars, to be accumulated quickly, and immediately: the dream of a young lawyer ready for anything, who thus collaborates with a shady businessman. At the heart of the matter gambling, more or less clandestine, finance, banks, all cynical and in collusion with organized crime. Played by a sensational John Garfield. Written and directed in 1948 by Polonsky, who had fought in Spain and was a Communist, and three years later would be blacklisted and banned from Hollywood. He worked only under pseudonyms, until 1970, when he directed Tell Them Willie Boy is Here. The harrowing and expressionist urban photography is by George Barnes.
DIRECTOR: Abraham Polonsky
NATION: USA
YEAR: 1948
RUNTIME: 79′
Original version with subtitles